Alice White facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alice White
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Publicity photo of White, 1934
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| Born |
Alva White
August 25, 1904 Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.
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| Died | February 19, 1983 (aged 78) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1927–1950 |
| Spouse(s) |
Sy Bartlett
(m. 1933; div. 1937)Jack Roberts
(m. 1941; div. 1949) |
Alice White (born Alva White; August 25, 1904 – February 19, 1983) was an American film actress. She was famous for her roles in both silent movies and early "talkies" (films with sound).
Early Life
Alice White grew up in Paterson, New Jersey, with her grandparents. She went to school in Paterson and East Orange, New Jersey. Her grandfather owned a fruit business.
Her Film Career
After finishing school, Alice White started working as a secretary for a director named Josef Von Sternberg. She also worked as a switchboard operator at a club for Hollywood writers. Later, she began working for the famous actor Charlie Chaplin. He soon realized she had a talent for acting and helped her get in front of the camera.
Alice was known for her lively and cheerful personality. Some people compared her to another popular actress, Clara Bow. However, Alice White had her own special charm. She was a bubbly blonde, while Clara Bow often played fiery redheads.
Alice often played characters who were young, fashionable women of the 1920s, sometimes called "flappers." She caught the eye of director Mervyn LeRoy, who believed she had great potential. Her first movie was The Sea Tiger in 1927. She also starred in Show Girl (1928) and its musical follow-up, Show Girl in Hollywood (1930). In these films, she played a character named Dixie Dugan. This character later inspired a popular comic strip called Dixie Dugan.
Alice also appeared in The Girl from Woolworth's (1929). In this movie, she played a singing clerk in a Woolworth's store's music department. The film was made to highlight her talents as a rising star.
Later Career
In 1931, Alice White took a break from movies to improve her acting skills. She returned in 1933, but her career faced some challenges due to personal issues that led to bad publicity. After this, she mostly appeared in supporting roles. One of these was Jimmy the Gent (1934), where she acted alongside big stars like James Cagney and Bette Davis.
By the late 1930s, her roles became smaller. Her last movie was Flamingo Road in 1949. After her acting career, she went back to working as a secretary.
Personal Life
Alice White married screenwriter Sy Bartlett on December 3, 1933. They later divorced in 1937.
She married again to film writer John Roberts on August 24, 1940. They also divorced on April 18, 1949.
Death
Alice White passed away on February 19, 1983, at the age of 78, due to complications from a stroke. She was buried at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood.
Award
Alice White has a special star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1511 Vine Street. It was given to her on February 8, 1960, to honor her contributions to movies.
Images for kids
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Broadway Babies (1929) movie poster
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Publicity photo of White from Stars of the Photoplay (1930)
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Alice White in 1933
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Sy Bartlett and Alice White, 1931
